Today's hike, led by Josianne Rovinelli, took us to the sagebrush grasslands at the southern end of the valley. The hike was characterized by wide open vistas and a nearly ever-present view of the north-west face of Mount Chopaka. After lunch atop a rocky ridge overlooking the Nighthawk border post the return trip provided a good workout as we climbed a long, straight (but thankfully shaded) dirt road to our highest point of the trip. Lots of flowers, including balsam root, bitter-root, larkspur, desert parsley (aka 'spring gold') and brilliant yellow tufts of fine-leaved daisies. Every damp creek bed was lined with fluorescent green aspens.
click on photo to enlarge . . .
